Today we travelled through the Eifel National Park to visit some of its towns. And, just to defy the weather forecasters; no rain and some broken sunshine.

First we visited Bad Münstereifel, a charming little town with its original medieval walls intact and a pretty little stream running through the main street.

As we’ve been travelling through Nord Rhine-Westphalia, we have seen trees and poles strewn with crepe-paper streamers. Our tour guides knew nothing so Margaret asked at the Tourist Information Office (where else?). It’s a local tradition associated with May-Day. Young men decorate the trees to show their love for a certain woman. By the number of these we saw, the Westphalian man must be both virile and promiscuous - there are hundreds of them, everywhere.

We then visited Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweller. Another really delightful town.

We only had 50 minutes here, as we’d opted to visit a nearby winery to sample German wines. Although only a brief visit, this town certainly had a lots of sights to see.

The winery visit was “interesting” (OK: Damned by faint praise). We toured the wine making facilities, as promised, except wine is no longer made at this site. It has merged with a cooperative and all the wine is now made at a larger, more modern winery. It was interesting nonetheless, as a well informed guide showed us around and explained how wine making has progressed over the centuries.

The wine tasting consisted of the three categories made by the cooperative: white, rosé and red. The white, a reisling, was a little sweet but pleasant, the red thin and lacking in any body whatsoever, the rosé was sharp enough to replace vinegar on fish and chips. However, at last I now understand why beer is Germany’s national drink!

Tomorrow we’re off to Monschau, alleged to be a photographer’s paradise. I’m putting out offerings to the weather gods!

A short journey today to Monschau, claiming to be the prettiest town in Germany.

It is a delightful little town, but it does overstate its credentials. Admittedly, the weather did little to help! 

In many towns throughout the UK and Europe, people decorate their houses with birds or butterflies. Monschau residents seem a little strange! Spiders!!!

What Monschau should claim is to having some of the best bakeries in Germany. The one we found (sheltering from rain being a priority) served wonderful pastries and savouries, “proper” British tea, spoke perfect English and charged ridiculously low prices.

—oOo—

All-in-all, this has been a great few days away from home. Simple, low-key and thoroughly relaxing. Homeward bound tomorrow - fingers crossed for quieter weather in the Channel!